Korean word

곤란하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationkollanhada

Meaning

  • adjectivebe in a difficult spot

Example

그렇게 말하면 곤란해요.keu reo ke mal ha myeon kol lan hae yo

If you say that, it puts me in a difficult spot.

Illustration for 곤란하다 (be in a difficult spot)

More examples

지금은 다른 약속 때문에 외출하기 곤란해요.chi geu meun ta reun yak ssok ttae mu ne oe chul ha gi kol lan hae yo

I have another appointment now, so it would be difficult for me to go out.

Core concept

Being unable or uncomfortable to accept a situation or request, leaving someone unsure how to respond.

Common phrases

  • 외출하기 곤란하다oe chul ha gi kol lan ha da

    have difficulty going out

  • 만나기 곤란하다man na gi kol lan ha da

    have difficulty meeting

Similar words

난처하다nancheohada: Feeling awkward and unsure how to respond after an unexpected problem or small mistake.
부담스럽다pudamseureoptta: Feeling inner pressure from something offered or expected, which makes an easy response difficult.
불편하다pulpyeonhada: Making ordinary activities harder by taking away comfort and ease.
당황스럽다tanghwangseureoptta: Feeling flustered when an unexpected event makes the next action unclear.

Definition in Korean

어떤 상황이나 부탁을 받아들이기 어렵거나 불편하여 응하거나 말하기 곤란한 상태를 뜻하는 형용사.eo tteon sang hwang i na pu ta geul pa da deu ri gi eo ryeop kkeo na pul pyeon ha yeo eung ha geo na mal ha gi kol lan han sang tae reul tteu ta neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

곤란 (golran, "difficulty or trouble") joined with 하다 (hada, "to do") creates an adjective describing something difficult or uncomfortable to deal with.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, it often gives a polite indirect refusal, so it can sound softer than saying no directly.

Other meanings

  • awkwardadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word